Tyson Fury 'might retire' with boxing star at risk of massive £200m lawsuit

Fury was far from his best during the showdown in Saudi Arabia and hit the deck in round three following a huge left hook to the face.

He was eventually able to win by split decision but some, including his opponent, feel Ngannou was actually the true winner of the contest.

On Tuesday it emerged that, if Fury doesn't fight Usyk two days before Christmas, Saudi Arabian chiefs could sue him for £200m.

They have a huge festival planned for the two heavyweight boxers.

But Groves can't see that fight happening and thinks Fury will either go up against Ngannou next - or turn his back on boxing for good.

"There is not a chance the Usyk fight is happening on that date. It is not Usyk on December 23, I don't think it's Usyk next," he told Sky Sports.

"I think it's either Ngannou or that's the last of Fury.

"He tells everyone he is the Gypsy King, that he is the man, no fighter can ever beat him.

"There is someone right now who can beat him and it's Usyk. A lot of people will think the same.

"He doesn't need to roll the dice and get beat off the little gap-toothed Ukrainian guy.

"He'd rather just sail off into the sunset. He is an interesting character and there are lots of avenues he can explore after boxing.

"Doors that might be shut on him or not the same if he loses to Usyk.

"I think he is going to either rectify the last fight against Ngannou, which he will get paid a lot of money for and a lot of people would be interested in. He will train better and show up and perform.

"Or he might retire."

Groves then proceeded to express a belief that Fury doesn't possess the same hunger of old.

"There is no way he didn't wake up the next morning [after the Ngannou fight] with loads of doubts," he added.

"'Have I still got it anymore?' 'Why could I not handle this guy comfortably?'

"He might be questioning, 'do I really want to do it anymore?'

"He wasn't the 'people's champion' until after the second Denotay Wilder fight [in 2020] and he hasn't had that acid test since fighting Wilder [in 2021]. That is a long time.

"He hasn't had to work hard, hasn't had to struggle.

"Dillian Whyte didn't show up. Dereck Chisora was like a friend. It feels like a long time since he has probably been really backs against the wall.

"To roll back the clock and have that hunger still at 35, it might not be the same.

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"It definitely won't be the same as going out to Germany and beating Wladimir Klitschko [in 2015]."

Fury previously sounded confident his fight with Usyk would go ahead on December 23.

But he shirked questions on the subject following his close victory over Ngannou on Saturday.

"I leave all that to my team, I don't get involved," said the 35-year-old.

Fury has won 34 of his 35 career fights so far, with a draw against Deontay Wilder in 2018 the only time he's failed to reign supreme.